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September is basically one giant fresh start, and we’re kicking off ours with the books, shows, and movies you’re about to see everywhere. Whether you’re catching up with your besties or desperately searching for something to say to the person sitting next to you in class, consider this your cheat sheet to your next obsession and your next conversation starter.
Big Same
Together with Sourcebooks
In Big Same, we pick a popular title and recommend a new book, movie, or show that matches its energy.
The Best New YA Books Coming in September 2026
New, Noteworthy, & Next Up
WATCH THIS
What: Crew Girl
Why: Because it’s giving elite prep school drama, messy family secrets, fish-out-of-water chaos, and a whole rowing team of boys to crush on.
When: 9/10
Where: Netflix
READ THIS
What: Hawk & Sparrow by Ayana Gray
Why: Because the mix of Gilded Age glamour, magical murder mystery, fake dating, and an infuriatingly hot rich boy is basically September reading perfection.
When: Out now!
Where: Wherever you buy books
LISTEN TO THIS
What: Outer Banks: The Official Podcast
Why: Because your OBX obsession doesn’t have to end when the credits roll, thanks to this podcast’s behind-the-scenes secrets, character tea, and more.
When: Out now!
Where: Wherever you listen to podcasts, or watch the full video episodes on Netflix
[BLANK]core
Together with ThriftBooks
The fallcore aesthetic is almost too easy. (Books and fall have been in a serious LTR since basically forever, ya know?) Think cozy small towns, crisp leaves, dark academia, spooky old houses, and the kind of atmospheric reads best enjoyed with a PSL, a blanket, and a candle if you're feeling fancy.
The Best YA Premieres Coming in September 2026
Talk of the Timeline
🤩 Over in adaptation land, Better Than the Movies is assembling one seriously stacked cast.
🍿 Watch the trailer for Maxton Hall Season 3!
🇬🇧 And watch the trailer for Extra Geography, a new movie Variety says will be “joining the ranks of instant greats like Lady Bird, Booksmart, and Frances Ha.”
🏆 MrBeast + James Patterson + a $1 million prize?!
Read It, Stream It
What: A Tale of Two Cities
Why: Okay, okay, we know this one isn’t technically YA, but there’s a very good chance you’ve had to read it (or already have read it) for school! Set during the French Revolution, A Tale of Two Cities follows two very different men whose lives become tangled in love, sacrifice, and revolution. If classic lit isn’t usually your thing, this fresh adaptation starring Kit Harington might just be the perfect way to get into the story (or at least get you some brownie points with your English Lit teacher).
When: Out now!
Where: MGM+
Internet Finds
Dolly Parton's Bookshelf Tour: See the Music Legend's Favorite Reads
